10 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2024 LAURA FIELD | NC EVP RUMINATIONS 4611 Cattle Drive, Lincoln, NE 68521 Phone (402) 475-2333 | Fax (402) 475-0822 nc@necattlemen.org | www.nebraskacattlemen.org NEBRASKA CATTLEMEN STAFF EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT | Laura Field lfield@necattlemen.org VICE PRESIDENT OF ASSOCIATION ENGAGEMENT | Melody Benjamin VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING | Jeff Stolle DIRECTOR OF MARKETING | John Roberts DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS | Libby Schroeder DIRECTOR OF PRODUCER EDUCATION | Bonita Lederer DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP-RETENTION | Jessica Rudolph DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP-RECRUITMENT | Steven Stettner EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT | Patty Goes Nebraska Cattleman is published monthly, except for May and July, by the Nebraska Cattlemen, 4611 Cattle Drive, Lincoln, NE 68521 – (402) 475-2333. --------------------------------------------------------------------- MAGAZINE PRODUCTION: BLUEPRINT MEDIA LLC www.blueprintma.com | ncmag@necattlemen.org EDITOR | Lisa Bard MANAGING EDITOR | Jessie Topp-Becker COPY EDITOR | Larisa Willrett DESIGNER & MATERIALS COORDINATOR | Megan Sajbel Field ADMINISTRATION | Leslie McKibben CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Bill Coe | Natalie Jones STATE & REGIONAL ADVERTISING Amber Coleman | (402) 340-1588 acoleman@necattlemen.org NATIONAL ADVERTISING Wendy McFarland | (334) 271-6100 mcfarlandadvantage@gmail.com Working for Nebraska Beef Producers PASTURE TO PLATE TO PLATE NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN VIEW NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN DIGITAL VERSION BY SCANNING THE QR CODE. ENGAGING IN THE PROCESS LAURA FIELD | NC EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Engagement is at the heart of everything we do at Nebraska Cattlemen. Paying attention to critical matters affecting members is our mission. The effectiveness and strength of our organization is the result of the voices and passion originating with those who join and then show up to engage in the process of setting policy. Last month, Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) was well-represented at the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in Orlando, Fla. NC officers, representatives of the board of directors and many other members and staff traveled to Florida to give voice to policy discussions, engage with fellow cattle producers and represent Nebraska Cattlemen. Prior to leaving for Florida, the NC Board met and considered positions on state legislative bills for the 2024 session. That meeting is always one of my favorites, as the investment of discussion, thought and significant time is imperative to the association’s success. It is the reason NC’s policy process is an important part of its framework by which the will of the members is exercised. Committee leadership and staff evaluate bills and present them to the board of directors, who decide to support, oppose or monitor legislation in alignment with adopted policy positions. Grassroots representation depends on this process and is a tried-and-proven method. As I’ve shared in previous columns, membership matters, as does engagement in the policy process for cattle producers across Nebraska. (The process for setting policy was outlined in the January issue of Nebraska Cattleman.) Decisions affecting our members are not made based on whim or convenience, and our process must be sufficiently robust to facilitate engagement on challenging issues as well as those that are straightforward. Even with access to membership and a seat at the table for forming effective policy positions, some in our industry choose to sit on the sidelines, throwing criticism of those who are in the ring doing the work, fighting for association members and the industry we represent. Engaged members embrace the policy process, recognizing that this is where the work happens and where efforts to create a better environment for cattle production take flight. Just as our nation’s founding fathers understood, leadership means taking time away from daily business operations, meeting with those you both agree and disagree with, paying dues and challenging organizations like Nebraska Cattlemen to work on solutions to keep cattle operations profitable and able to continue for generations to come. Productive and well-intentioned discord is part of the policy process. Not everyone agrees on every issue; however, it is healthy debate that generates the best solutions. When we roll up our sleeves and work toward solutions, we have the best opportunity to create a brighter future for the industry. Every NC member has a voice in the development and adoption of policy, and the first step is becoming a member and showing up. Livestock producers face detractors from outside our ranks who strive to destroy our business, and it makes no sense to me why some people in our business CONTINUED ON PAGE 82
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